This thread is actually quite alarming.

I've come across justification, recommendations for 'less blatant' discrimination, and suggestions that women need to understand and accept such things because that's just the way it is and part of the risks of getting pregnant.

I've even come across name-calling.

It's not just about this case persay, but pregnancies, pregnant women and maternity leave in general.

If that's the case, companies, entities and policies should pursue blatant transparently and straight up come out and state that women will face penalisation and the risk of compromised work appraisal/grading for taking the maternity leave they're entitled to, which is in effect encouraged as women are encouraged to give birth and bolster our birth rates.